Japanese Robes

How much fabric would I need for the top layer of a Kimono?

Im making a Kimono for my personal project at school...We have a year to do it, and I have designed a Kimono and want to make it. I just need to know how much fabric to get because I know all Kimono's have the same amount of fabric or something? And if you know how much I would need for an Obi, that would be great too. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. my threads ( a sewing magazine) says that a kimono is made from silk fabric 13-15 in wide and 39-43 feet long a yrd is 36" or 3 feet,so this would be 13 to 14 yrds of fabric! however take into consideration that you may be using fabric that is 45- 60 inches wide if it is a standard width. so clearly you would need less fabric. i think a good jump off for you would be to look at costume patterns for kimono, i believe on comes with a obi pattern as well. even if you do not use the pattern, it will give you a chance to see the fabric required. the pattern should be on one of the big three sites for patterns----- McCall's simplicity or butterick(?) .
2. May I suggest a book for you? John Marshall's Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17298001&referer=brief_results#similar If you're making a modern kimono and want to use modern width fabrics, here are a couple of patterns with yardages: http://www.folkwear.com/pdf/113-JapaneseKimono yardage chart.pdf http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4953.htm Work your pattern out in cheap fabric before you commit to the real thing. I think you'll find unlined kimono don't hang well. More helps: http://www.costumes.org/ethnic/1PAGES/asiancostlinks.htm#Japan Unless you've really and truly got your heart set on a kimono, you might want to think about some of the other traditional garments around. The Szur is one of my favorites: http://magyarmuzeum.org/index.php?projectid=4&menuid=271 A Turkish coat, with more walking room than a kimono: http://www.folkwear.com/106.html. The bog coat: http://sewrandom.blogspot.com/2008/08/bog-coat-jesus-costume.html And an excellent introduction to nearly-whole-cloth garments, Cut my Cote: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1072584/editions?editionsView=true&referer=di